At a press conference outside Town Hall Monday, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. John Larson discussed the economic benefits of the recently passed $1.9 billion COVID-19 relief bill in Washington D.C. here in East Hartford.
They were joined by Mayor Marcia Leclerc, members of the Town Council and the Board of Education who expressed their gratitude for the influx of $37 million – $14 million for the town side of government and $23 million for education.

The money will supplement the town’s just-adopted $201 million budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year that begins July 1. Exactly what the unprecedented federal largess will be used for remains unclear, but everyone was very happy at the possibilities and prospects it might represent in this distressed municipality.

“As the mayor I am just delighted to know he has thought about us,” said Mayor Leclerc. “The revenue streams that will come for the town of East Hartford, that is a lifeline for us, for education, to our town, to businesses, and for everyone who calls the United States home. They have shown that they are leaders in themselves and shown that they have the care and concern of every resident,” said Leclerc. Owing to experience and relationships they have established in the nation’s capital, “they can reach across the aisle and try to change minds but can also stand independently.”

U.S. Sen Blumenthal then spoke. “I am reluctant to go ahead of Congressman Larson in his hometown, but he has just told me I am an honorary resident of East Hartford which I am happy to accept as long as I don’t have to pay taxes.”
The state’s senior senator noted the work of local officials and Mayor Leclerc in particular. “East Hartford’s leadership inspires us. All of our delegation strongly united for the American Rescue Plan. For Connecticut, that means $4 billion, $1.6 billion to towns and cities like East Hartford, for sewer and water, broadband.

“We have listed to local leaders from East Hartford and around the country. We want to spare their taxpayers. There should be enough aid there so there are no new taxes,” said the senator. “It offers specific remedy for towns and cities to use this money adaptively lift kids out of poverty. There is $40 billion in childcare so kids can go back to the development and nurturing that is so important. It will enable women to go back to the workplace. Some 3 million women have left their jobs because of the pandemic. It will put shots into arms and kids back into schools.
“By now that stimulus payment should be in your mailbox or bank account,” Blumenthal added. “We stood united with the leadership of Joe Biden and leadership of John Larson who kept his caucus together. This program is historic and revolutionary for the benefits it offers to our state.”

Congressman John Larson then addressed the gathering. The Mayberry Village native, a leader in the House Democratic caucus, noted that, in his 34-town First Congressional District, “only Hartford received more money that East Hartford, Connecticut.”

He praised the mayor and the Board of Education and the Town Council for their great job in dealing with COVID-19. Their efforts will be helped with the $37 million dollars the town is getting in the American Rescue Plan – $14 million for the town and $23 million for the Board of Education.

“President Biden deserves so much credit for remaining focused, and in his first 60 days he has demonstrated that when you focus on the needs of the American people – and I like to say that this bill was bi-partisan, not on the votes it received, but when you look at the people, this disease focus does not target people based on political affiliation.
“It puts shots in people’s arms and money in people’s pockets. It provides relief to the communities. It creates jobs,” Larson added. “This is the most significant legislation that Congress has undertaken since the New Deal,” added the former history teacher at East Hartford High School. “1.5 million households in Connecticut will receive $4 billion in payments. There is also over $150 million for direct housing assistance. Food assistance to 40 million, 214,000 in Connecticut. Unemployment insurance, it expands the child tax credit, lifting 30 million kids out of poverty in Connecticut.”

He added “Sen. Blumenthal and I commend Rosa DeLauro,” the New Haven Congresswoman who is co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “We are here in East Hartford today to demonstrate what government’s responsibility is.”

Mayor Leclerc added “I know our delegation understands but every resident of East Hartford and across the United States should be thankful we have such representation at the capitol. The relationships that have been established has helped every person throughout the town of East Hartford. Certainly this money will be put to good use.”

Board of Education Chairman Brian Hall said “It makes my heart feel good to know our students will be receiving $23 million. When I was an athlete, I was told to start fast, and come out the gate ready to give it my all. When I was an officer, I was told ‘I want you to go to the streets and take back the streets’ of Hartford. In my years on the Board of Education – 8 years as chairman – the mayor and the Council we sat together as a team. We know the pride of East Hartford is our schools. It was easy. We know now we are going to have additional resources.”

Hall said the town spends less per pupil that most other Connecticut school systems.

“Right now, we are 9th on the totem pole. East Hartford will now be a town where your families can get a better education, students can get a better education. I often hear from many of my friends and former colleagues who have moved out of Connecticut, ‘why do you still live in Connecticut’? The answer is simple: Because I know my tax dollars are being used to the best of our ability. My colleagues are willing to work across the aisle. I’m proud to say we live in a town where we put people first. And it gives me a great pride to know that we the town of East Hartford do as a community that will continue to, even if I’m not there, even if I go to do something different, we have built a foundation for our students.”

Town Council Vice Chairman Don Bell also addressed the group at Town Hall parking lot.

“I was thinking about the human impact of our pandemic. It wasn’t that long ago we saw the longest lines for food at Rentschler Field. Now those lines have been replaced by lines for vaccinations. Lines for being tested are being replaced with lines for vaccinations. We still have a long way to go.”

The funds will also help restore dignity. “As a child I looked into the eyes of my parents, and I saw the shame in their eyes as they wondered how much food we would have to eat tonight. For many, this means money in their pockets which means more food on their table for their children. The legislation does two things fundamentally. First, it provides a helping hand. There are thousands have borne the brunt of the pandemic. Second, it gives them hope, it gives the community hope, it gives those kids hope, it gives their parents hope.”